The league title is going to Manchester if United can avoid defeat at home to Chelsea says Mike Norman. But can the Blues do the unthinkable and take the race right down to the wire?
If someone told me six weeks ago that a victory for Chelsea in this fixture would take the Blues to the top of the Premier League, I'd have seriously questioned their sanity. The fact that Chelsea have dragged themselves back from 15 points behind at one stage (albeit with a couple of games in hand) to be within three points of the league leaders is quite an achievement.
Carlo Ancelotti's men are now firmly back in the title race and can be backed at [4.6] in the Premier League Winner market, with Super Sunday's opponents Manchester United still the clear favourites at [1.29].
The destiny of the title depends largely of course on the outcome of this monumental encounter. If you offered Sir Alex Ferguson a draw prior to the game he would bite your hand off with more venom than a king cobra. But very few clubs - especially Man Utd at Old Trafford - ever play for a draw, and with Chelsea almost certainly needing to take all three points, we're set for an absolutely fascinating 90 minutes of 'winner takes all' football.
United have been sensational on home soil this season taking a staggering 49 league points from a possible 51; and they've won every one of their 13 matches (all competitions) at the Theatre of Dreams in 2011. But Chelsea have been equally impressive of late winning eight of their last nine Premier League fixtures, though how much of a psychological barrier their two-legged defeat - where they lost both home and away to United in the Champions League - remains to be seen.
Both teams will be at full strength, United welcoming back a host of stars after having the luxury of fielding a largely second string XI against Schalke in midweek, whilst Ancelotti has a fully-fit squad at his disposal after his side picked up no fresh injuries during their last-gasp, and somewhat fortunate, victory over Tottenham last weekend.
Match Odds: Man Utd [2.4], Chelsea [3.4], The Draw [3.4]
One of the key battles could turn out to be the ongoing rivalry between Nemanja Vidic and Fernando Torres. Ancelotti would be foolish not to start with Torres given that the £50m record signing is now off the mark for his new club and had an Indian sign over Vidic during his Liverpool days. The winner of this battle - if it materialises - might just decide the outcome of the game.
On current form my money is on Vidic - complemented by the excellent Rio Ferdinand - to just about come out on top against the Chelsea attack, but recent history suggests that this will be an extremely close encounter. Each club has recorded three wins apiece from their last six meetings, and only three times from the last 16 meetings has either of the sides won by more than a single goal margin. A home victory is very likely, but because I envisage a tight affair my strategy will be to back the draw In-Play when the first goal is scored, and then trade out if the scores become level again.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals & Both teams to Score
My betting strategy in the Match Odds market is not solely based on the anticipation of a close encounter, it's also based on recent trends regarding goals scored in this fixture and how I envisage this game being played.
Eight of the last 11 meetings resulted in both teams getting on the scoresheet, whilst seven of those 11 games saw at least three goals scored. Chelsea are guaranteed to attack in this fixture, and that suggests to me that we'll see an open, entertaining encounter. Over 2.5 Goals is available to back at [2.2], whilst the Yes option in the Both teams to Score market can be backed at [1.9]. Both wagers look excellent opportunities to profit.
To Score
Given that I can see a few goals being scored in this game it's perhaps wise to consider a few options in this market. Both Wayne Rooney (five goals in seven games) and Frank Lampard (three in four) have been in decent goalscoring form of late as well as being the two names that regularly get on the scoresheet in this fixture. They will be available to back at around [2.6] and [4.5] respectively once the market materialises.
Continued: Soccer Betting
If someone told me six weeks ago that a victory for Chelsea in this fixture would take the Blues to the top of the Premier League, I'd have seriously questioned their sanity. The fact that Chelsea have dragged themselves back from 15 points behind at one stage (albeit with a couple of games in hand) to be within three points of the league leaders is quite an achievement.
Carlo Ancelotti's men are now firmly back in the title race and can be backed at [4.6] in the Premier League Winner market, with Super Sunday's opponents Manchester United still the clear favourites at [1.29].
The destiny of the title depends largely of course on the outcome of this monumental encounter. If you offered Sir Alex Ferguson a draw prior to the game he would bite your hand off with more venom than a king cobra. But very few clubs - especially Man Utd at Old Trafford - ever play for a draw, and with Chelsea almost certainly needing to take all three points, we're set for an absolutely fascinating 90 minutes of 'winner takes all' football.
United have been sensational on home soil this season taking a staggering 49 league points from a possible 51; and they've won every one of their 13 matches (all competitions) at the Theatre of Dreams in 2011. But Chelsea have been equally impressive of late winning eight of their last nine Premier League fixtures, though how much of a psychological barrier their two-legged defeat - where they lost both home and away to United in the Champions League - remains to be seen.
Both teams will be at full strength, United welcoming back a host of stars after having the luxury of fielding a largely second string XI against Schalke in midweek, whilst Ancelotti has a fully-fit squad at his disposal after his side picked up no fresh injuries during their last-gasp, and somewhat fortunate, victory over Tottenham last weekend.
Match Odds: Man Utd [2.4], Chelsea [3.4], The Draw [3.4]
One of the key battles could turn out to be the ongoing rivalry between Nemanja Vidic and Fernando Torres. Ancelotti would be foolish not to start with Torres given that the £50m record signing is now off the mark for his new club and had an Indian sign over Vidic during his Liverpool days. The winner of this battle - if it materialises - might just decide the outcome of the game.
On current form my money is on Vidic - complemented by the excellent Rio Ferdinand - to just about come out on top against the Chelsea attack, but recent history suggests that this will be an extremely close encounter. Each club has recorded three wins apiece from their last six meetings, and only three times from the last 16 meetings has either of the sides won by more than a single goal margin. A home victory is very likely, but because I envisage a tight affair my strategy will be to back the draw In-Play when the first goal is scored, and then trade out if the scores become level again.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals & Both teams to Score
My betting strategy in the Match Odds market is not solely based on the anticipation of a close encounter, it's also based on recent trends regarding goals scored in this fixture and how I envisage this game being played.
Eight of the last 11 meetings resulted in both teams getting on the scoresheet, whilst seven of those 11 games saw at least three goals scored. Chelsea are guaranteed to attack in this fixture, and that suggests to me that we'll see an open, entertaining encounter. Over 2.5 Goals is available to back at [2.2], whilst the Yes option in the Both teams to Score market can be backed at [1.9]. Both wagers look excellent opportunities to profit.
To Score
Given that I can see a few goals being scored in this game it's perhaps wise to consider a few options in this market. Both Wayne Rooney (five goals in seven games) and Frank Lampard (three in four) have been in decent goalscoring form of late as well as being the two names that regularly get on the scoresheet in this fixture. They will be available to back at around [2.6] and [4.5] respectively once the market materialises.
Continued: Soccer Betting
